A prominent Philadelphia rapper known for promoting positive messages was gunned down during a robbery Sunday afternoon in Juniata, authorities said.
Qidere Johnson, 30, of North Philadelphia, who went by the moniker LGP Qua, was shot just before 4:40 p.m. near the intersection of M and Luzerne streets, according to police. When officers arrived at the scene, he had already been taken to Temple University Hospital, where he died a short time later, the PPD said.
Investigators confirmed the suspected motive was robbery, with the Inquirer reporting that the killers were apparently after chains that were hanging on Johnson’s neck.
No arrests have been made, and prosecutors declined to discuss the case, citing the sensitivity of an open investigation, during a District Attorney’s Office news conference Monday morning about the weekend’s violence. Anyone with information is asked to call or text the PPD’s tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
Johnson, who had 373,000 followers on Instagram, often rapped about his experience growing up in a neighborhood racked by gun violence.
One of his more recent music videos, uploaded to YouTube in June 2023, is for a song titled “D.O.D.” for “death of drill,” a style of graphic hip hop that has been blamed for fueling an uptick in violence among youth. Sporting a Kelly Green No. 12 Randall Cunningham jersey, Johnson is shown at Nicetown Park.
“Turn on the news, youngin’ got dropped in the streets,” he begins. “Man that’s the first thing I see. Everything murder. They made the killing a norm, but that ain’t normal to me.”
Several big-name members of the hip hop community, including Meek Mill and Swizz Beatz, lamented Johnson’s passing.
“Killing ambitious young bulls like this on Mother’s Day is a Philly type of thing smfh… s–t will make you different!!!!!!!” Mill said in an Instagram story. “Prayers to you family & let’s collect some of them guns s–t sad out there.”
Johnson was among multiple people killed over the weekend, including 12-year-old Ethan Parker, who was accidentally shot while making music with other teenagers. Marvin Playfair, 17, was charged with third-degree murder for an “extreme form of recklessness” while handling a gun, prosecutors said Monday.
PPD data indicates that 74 people have been killed in homicides this year, down about 21% from the same point in 2024.
Counseling, peer support, and victim advocacy services are available for victims, family members, and others affected by gun violence. Go to metrophiladelphia.com/gun-violence-resources for more information.
